Mounjaro

Mounjaro^® (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injectable medication that, along with a healthy diet and exercise, helps manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. While not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight management, Mounjaro is sometimes prescribed off-label for this use. 

Mounjaro is both a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, meaning it mimics the action of both natural hormones involved in regulating blood sugar and appetite. The medication boosts insulin secretion after eating, reduces levels of glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), and slows down digestion, all of which helps to control blood sugar and promote feelings of fullness. 

Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, indigestion, and abdominal pain.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with Mounjaro are:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Indigestion

• Abdominal pain

The cost of Mounjaro may vary depending on factors such as the dose, quantity, insurance coverage, and where you buy it. Without insurance, Mounjaro costs about $1,080 per month.

Health insurance plans may cover all or some of the cost of this medication, and the Mounjaro Savings Card may reduce the price for eligible people with commercial insurance.

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in Mounjaro

• Drug interactions: Mounjaro delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• Pancreatitis

• Low blood sugar with concomitant use of insulin secretagogues or insulin

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute kidney injury

• Severe gastrointestinal disease

• Diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with a history of diabetic retinopathy

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Pregnancy: Based on animal study, may cause fetal harm

• Females of reproductive potential: Females using oral contraceptives should consider switching to a non-oral contraceptive method or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Tirzepatide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats. It is unknown whether Mounjaro causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of tirzepatide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Mounjaro is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Mounjaro. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient tirzepatide.